Benjamin Gilman: “I would gladly have made any sacrifice to avoid having to stand before you today for this solemn purpose. The passing of…”

“I would gladly have made any sacrifice to avoid having to stand before you today for this solemn purpose. The passing of Hamilton Fish, Jr., is a genuine shock which reverberated in this Chamber as well as back in our Hudson Valley region of New York. We knew that Ham was ill when he announced his retirement from this body only 2 years ago, but his intelligence, his helpfulness, his integrity, and his charm were so overpowering--right until the end--that it is virtually impossible to believe that he is no longer with us. Ham Fish was born right here in Washington, DC 70 years ago last month. At the time of Ham's birth, his father, Hamilton Fish II, was serving in his fourth term in this Chamber.”